IIP Berlin Blogpost #1: Pre-Departure

Hello, my name is Elliot Fleischer and I am a senior enrolled in the CBA program at the University of Pittsburgh. I am majoring in supply chain management, minoring in German language studies and sociology, and am pursuing a certificate in Western European studies.

In just a little less than a week, I will be flying to Berlin to participate in a 10-week internship program with a small company named Kirsen Security Group! I have never actually been to Germany. It has been my a dream of mine for the past four years to travel to Germany for academic/career development purposes. Through Pitt’s international internship program, I am finally turning that dream into a reality! To this point, I have completed seven semesters of German language courses. Although I have learned a lot in the classroom, I am not quite at the level of fluency I would like to achieve in German. I strongly believe this internship will provide me with ample opportunities to practice German with native speakers on a regular basis and enable me reach a higher level of language proficiency.

I am very much looking forward to the program and spending so much time in Berlin! I think I am going to make a many memories that last a lifetime during my time abroad.